Coin-operated bottle opener



June 12,1951 o. GILBERT I 2,556,268.

' COIN OPERATED BOTTLE OPENER Filed March 27 1948' 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 l/WENTDR -ISAAC' 0 GILBERT WW 5 W nrramvzys June 12, 1951 l. o. GILBERT COIN OPERATED BOTTLE OPENER 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 27, 1948 INVENTUR ISAAC O. GILBERT HTTOENEYS Patented June 12,1951

COIN-OPERATED BOTTLE OPENER Isaac 0; Gilbert, San Antonio, Tex., assignor, by

mesne assignments, to Pay-Pull Manufactur ing 00., Inc., San Antonio, Texga corporation of Texas Application March 27, 19 1 s ,-s ria1'No.with.

14 Claims. 1

This invention relates to coin operated bottle openers, and in particular to certain new and useful improvements in connection therewith.

Coin operated bottle openers, as such, are known in the art, but designs built heretofore have had certain inherent disadvantages, which are overcome by the instant invention.

The purpose of a coin operated bottle opener is to eliminate the installation of expensive dispensing equipment for small stores, garages, and the like, and to provide means whereby such establishments can maintain a supply of cold drinks and the like available to customers for Still another object is the provision of a coin g operated bottle opener in which the removed caps are retained by a compartment directly associated with the said opener.

A still further object is the provision of a coin operated bottle opener which is easy to manufacture and assemble and is, accordingly, easy to service and replace worn parts therein.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a coin operated bottle opener in which the moving parts of the device are protected from contents which may spray from the bottles being opened or spill therefrom and which often are of a sticky gummy nature and which could easily cause the device to become inoperative.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a coin operated bottle opener having a relatively few number of parts and in which coil springs and the like are entirely eliminated.

A still further object is the provision of a coin operated bottle opener so constructed and arranged that a plurality of coins can be placed therein, but each one thereof will be successively operable to place the cap remover in operative condition and with no chance that the coins will pass into the coin receptacle without the opener having an opportunity to open a bottle for each one thereof.

These and other objects and advantages will become more apparent upon reference to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 isa front elevationalview of a bottle cap opener constructed according tothis invention;, l. I

' Figure'2 is a view likeFigure l but' with the front cover of the 'd'evicencut away "tofshow' the arrangement of part's' onithe inside thereof;

.Figure 3 i's'a plansection through the device and is indicatedby'the line 3 -3 on Figure'2;

Figure 4 is a partialvertical section through the device and is indicated' by the line 4-1-4 on Figure 3; I

Figure .5, is ,an. enlarged. fragmentary view througha portion of the 'device'and is indicated by the line 5?5 on Figure 4'; s Figure ,6 is a vertical section indicated by'th finest-+6 on'liigures 1] and 2 and is drawn at somewhat larger s'caleithan'these figures;

Figure 7 is a fragmentary view'similar to the upper end. ofv Figure: 6 but showing the cap re movingmechanis'm inoperative position;

"Figure 8 is a front 'view similar to the upper end of. Figure 2. but showing'coins in .the coin chute of themachineiandfflf I .Figure 9 is a Verticalis'e'ction indicated by the line 99 on Figure 2.and.shows a dog associated with the coin rchutewhich prevents upward movementof the coin's in the said chute. I

(Referring tothe drawings, the device of this invention comprises generally a bottle cap removing mechanism having a ,part'movable into effective or ineffective position'and a coin operated mechanism interlocked with the bottle cap removing jmecha'nism', such that upon insertion of a coin in the coin'chutethesaid movable part of the cap removing .mechafnism.is shifted to operative position. t

, ,Upon removing acap. from a bottle when'th'e movable part is in operative position, the coin in the coin chuteis released and falls'into a receiving chamber, whereupon the movable part of the cap removing mechanism returns to its inoperativeposition. I n L The device comprises 'a-frame part indicated at it). in Figure 2 which .consistsfof an upstanding back plate fl2 and a horlzontallylextending shelf l4. Thesideedgescof.theshelf I4 are, grooved as at I6 and slidable therein so as to enclose the upperpart of the device-which comprises a cover member l8which is. adapted forbeing lockedin positionby'means'of a latch 20 rotatable bya key and k. mechanism. 22. into engagement with a 1 1 J ILL I 1 1 Q Also slidable ;in'.thefgroove I6 is an auxiliary compartment 26 adapted for receiving the caps removed,by,the; opening ..,device. The compartment 26' is readilydetachable at any time from the device for disposing of the caps collected therein.

The cover member 18, as will be seen in Figure 6, fits closely against the front edge of the shelf M as at 28 and thus defines a compartment 30 in the upper end of the device for receiving coins deposited therein. It will be apparent that the locked on cover-member l8 closes the compartment 30 but does not in any way interfere with the easy removal of the bottle cap compartment 26.

Referring to Figures 2, 3, 6 and-7 it willbe noted that at one side of the device there is a channel member 32 which issecuredat its'bott'om edge as by means of a screw 34 to theshelf I4, said shelf being recessed as at 36 for receiving the member 32. The upper end of the member is retained by a pair of spaced-screws 38a'gain'st the upper end of the back plate l2 of the-frame l0. member 32 there is a projection 40 of the member 32 of a size to receive'a standard bottlecap as indicated in Figure 7. Thi'sprojection,'which is bounded by the upper and side walls of the member 32 and by the op'ening'42in the cover member I8, normally has no means 'for engagement with a bottle cap to remove the samefrom the neck of the bottle. However, pivotally mounted above'the projection 48 *is a movable'part 44 having a bottle cap engaging edge 46'which, when the said part is moved into effective position as shown in Figure 7,.provides means whereby a bottle cap can be removed from a bottle. The member 44 is pivoted on a pin 48 which isfsecured to the lower end of a leaf spring 50which is clamped between the upper end. of the member 32 and the pad'stan'dingup fromthe back plate I2 of the frame l8 and intowhich the screws 38 extend. The pin 48, as will'be' seen in Figure 5, is bent to form a right angle and a part thereof 52 extends rearwardly into a'drille'd' hole'in the back wall l2 of the frame [0.

Turning now to the coin operated mechanism, this will be seen to comprise a coin chute 54 secured'to the frame Band extending up through an opening in the cover'member I8 and having an aperture 56 into which coins can be'plac'e'd. It will be understoodthat the term coin as used herein indicates'any'nomin'al denomination of coin in'common usage or checks'o'r tokens asthe case maybe. This'term is thuszgeneric and not in any way limited in scope.

The coin'chute'54 has a vertical passage""58 therein opening at its bottom endinto the "coin receiving compartment-.38. 'The'front'coverplate of the coin chute, in'dicatedat 68; has a pair of slots 62 and 64 therein. The s1ot'62extends"only through the front cover aswill be'seen' in Figures 2, 3 and 4, whereas the slot 84"extends through the said cover plate '68 and alsointo the wan" ['2 of the frame l behind the-passage 58. The slots 62 and6'4 are forthe'p'urp'ose'of receiving the turned-in ends 66 and 68, respectively, of a pair of arms 18 and'lrof a plate member which is pivoted to the bent back 'part52 of the pin 48. The'p'late 14 includes a counter-balancing portion 16 whichnormally'urgesthe plate into the position indicated in Figured 'When the plate isin'itsFig'ur'e4position the turned back end 68 ispositioned out offthe-path of a coin falling through the"channel58; "The turned back end 86," however; is arranged so 'as always to intersect the said channel. 1Th'us,"a coin placed in the aperture "5.6 andfallin'gdown the channel 58 "will. pass the" turnedback end 68 but will strike the tip'df theturnedlback end"(i6.

Somewhat above the center part of the The counterbalance 76 is so arranged that the weight of a coin of preselected size falling through the chute 58 will rotate the said plate into the position shown in Figure 8. At this time it will be noted that the turned back end 88 has moved over into a position to engage and support the coin next behind the one which is resting on the turned back end 66.

'its Figure '4' position the movable part 44 will occupy its Figures 2 and 4 position. However, when a coinis deposited in the coin chute and moves the plate 16 to its Figure 8 position, the

saidmovable part will be automatically moved to'its Figure '7 position.

Means are provided: for preventing upward movement of the coins" in the coin chute. This means comprises a dog 88 pivoted at 82 to the front wall of the coin chute and having a detent part 84 extending through a slot in the sai'd'front wall. Thisdetent part has a cam surface such that the weight of a coin 0f the proper size deposited in the chute will cause the dog to swing backwardly and permit the coin to pass thereby. However, when a coin reaches its lowermost'and operative position within the chute the dog swings back and positively retains the coin in'the chute against upward movement.

For releasing a deposited coin into the coin receiving compartment 30, the plate 74 is retained positively in position 'on the turned back part 52 of the pivot pin 48 by means of a washer 86 which is retained against the back surface of the said plate by the'sta'ked outparts 88 on the part 52 of the pivot pin, or by any other suitable means.

By this arrangement, when a bottle cap is engaged with the edge 46 of the member 44 and a thrust is exerted on the said member by the'act of pulling the cap from the bottle, the said part 44 andits supporting pin 48 will move forwardly within the device to about the position indicated by the dotted line thereof at 98 in Figure 7.

At the same time, due to the connection of the plate 74 with the part'52 of the pivot pin 48, the said plate is also moved forward and to such an extent that the turned back end 66 will be pulled from beneath the coin resting thereon and permit the said coin to fall to the bottom of the coin chute.

The leaf spring member 58 is selected to'be of sufficient stiffness that it requires a substantial thrust to release a coin from the coin chute, but at the same time issufiiciently resilient that'the act of dislodging a bottle cap will insure that the said coin will drop.

As indicated in Figure 8 the coin chute may be made as long as desirable and, due to the turned back part 66, each and every coin placed in the coin chute will successively cause the movable part '44 to move into efiective position. However, each time the said'part' 44 is subjected to sufiicient thrust to dislodge a bottlecap the particular coin which has actuated it into effective position will be released into the coin receiving compartment. Thus it 'may be seen that turned back part fifi'serves to actuate part 44 and turned back part 68 acting in 'conjunctionwith tu'rnedback part 66 serves to meter one coin at a time from the passage 58 into the retainer compartment 38 as successive caps are removed by part 44.

It is to be noted that-themechanismdescribed amazes above consists of a relatively few parts and that these parts are very ruggedly constructed so that a long service life is obtained. Similarly, the device is easily serviced any time it should become necessary and the replacement of worn or broken parts therein is relatively inexpensive.

It is also to be noted that the device comprises two separate integral compartments, one for receiving coins and the other for receiving the removed bottle caps, and that the last mentioned of the said compartments is easily detached at any time to remove the caps. Also, the end of the bottle from which. the cap isv being removed is substantially isolated from the moving parts of the device, so that fluids that may be squirted or spilled therefrom have little chance of getting on the mechanism and destroying the balance thereof or gumming up the bearings. It will be understood that this invention is susceptible to modification in order to adapt it to different usages and conditions and, accordingly, it is desired to comprehend such modications within this invention as may fall within the scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

1. In a coin operatedbottle opener; a frame, a projection of said frame to receive the capped end of a bottle, a cap engaging member movably mounted adjacent said projection and normally positioned outside the limits thereof, and means consisting of a coin guide and a lever in said guide interlocking with said cap engaging member and operated by the weight of a coin in contact with said lever for moving said member toward said projection to engage a cap on a bottle on said projection.

2. In a coin controlled bottle opener; a frame, a projection of said frame to receive the capped end of a bottle to be opened, a cap engaging member movably mounted adjacent said projection, a counterweight connected with said member and normally holding the member outside the limits of said projection, a coin chute in said frame and adjacent a part-of said counterweight, and a finger on said counterweight terweight, and a finger on said counterweight extending transversely into said chute whereby a coin will rest thereon and the weight of a coin in said chute will move said counterweight and therethrough actuate said member into operative position within said projection, said member and counterweight being supported on a resiliently mounted pin whereby the thrust of dislodging a cap by said member will move said pin and associated parts in a direction parallel to said transversely extending finger and said finger from beneath said coin and release the same from said chute.

4. In a coin controlled bottle opener; a frame, a coin chute extending into said frame from the top, a smooth walled projection of said frame at one side of said chute, a member movable onto said projection from the top to en gage the cap on the neck of a bottle placed on said projection, a plate extending across behind said member at right angles thereto and adapted to have the end of said member pass therethrough and to be actuated thereby and having a part overlying said coin chute, a common pivot pin pivotally supporting said member and plate, resilient means supporting said pin, a slot in said'chute, and a finger on the said part of said plate extending into said slot, said plate being a weighted so as normally to hold said member out of-said projection but when a coin is resting on said finger to be overbalanced thereby to move said member into cap pulling position.

5, In a coin controlled bottle opener; a frame, a coin chute extending into said frame from the top, a smooth walled projection of said frame at one side of said chute, a member movable onto said projection from the top to engage the cap on the neck of a bottle placed on said projection, a plate extending across behind said member at right angles thereto and adapted to have the end of said member pass therethrough and to be actuated thereby and having a part overlying said coin chute, a common pivot pin pivotally supporting said member and plate, resilient means supporting said pin, a slot in said chute, a finger on the said part of said plate extending into said slot, said plate be ing weighted so as normally to hold said member out of said projection but when a coin is resting on said finger to be overbalanced thereby to move said member into cap pulling position, a second slot in said chute, and a second finger on said plate extending therein said second finger being out of the path of a coin in said chute when said member is in inoperative position and lying in the said path when the said member is in operative position.

6. In a coin controlled device; a coin chute arranged generally vertically, a plate pivoted adjaoent said chute, a first slot in said chute in the path of a coin therein and a second slot in said chute intersecting said path at one side, fingers on said plate extending into said slots, and resilient means interposed between the ends of said plate and pivotally supporting said same.

7. In a coin controlled device; a coin chute arranged generally vertically, a plate pivoted adjacent said chute, a first slot in said chute in the path of a coin therein and a second slot in said chute intersecting said path at one side, fingers on said plate extending into said slots, and resilient means pivotally supporting said plate, the one of said fingers extending into said first slot extending only part way across said chute, and the other of said fingers which extends into said second slot extending completely through said chute.

' 8. In a coin controlled device; a coin chute arranged generally vertically, a plate pivoted adjacent said chute, a first slot in said chute in the path of a coin therein and a second slot in said chute intersecting said path at one side, fingers on said plate extending into said slots, resilient means pivotally supporting said plate, the one of said fingers extending into said first slot extending only part way across said chute and the other of said fingers which extends into said second slot extending completely through said chute, and said plate being movable between a first position wherein the finger in said second slot'is disposed outside the path of a coin in the chute and a second position wherein the finger in the second slot is 'disposed in the path of a coin in said chute.

9.-In a coin controlled device; a-coin .chute arranged generally vertically, a plate pivoted adjacent said chute, a first'slot in said chute in the path of a coin therein and avsecond slot in said chute intersecting said pathatoneside, fingers'on said plate extending into said slots, resilient means pivotally supporting a said plate, theoneof said fingers extending into saidfi-rst slot extending only part way across said chute and the other of said fingers which extends into said-second slot extending completely through said chute, and said plate being movable between a first position wherein the finger in said-second slot is disposed outside the'path of-.acoinin the chute and a second positionw-herein the finger in the-second slot is disposed in' the-path of a coin in said chute, said resilient means-being-,yieldable to permit the finger insaid first slot to be moved from beneath a coinin the chute resting-on the said finger.

10. In a coin controlled device for'uncapping bottles; an uncapping mechanism including-a part mechanically movable into-effective or'ineffective position; a guide insaid device and:=a mechanism interlocked with'said part and having. aportion thereof extending into "said guide operable normally to hold said part in-ihefieiitive'. position and to move-said part to efiective position when a coinis inserted in said guide and contacts as a weight the portion. of said mechanism extending intosaid guide.

11. Ina coincontrolled device for uncapping bottles; a mechanism including a part for :engaging the lip of the bottle cap movable horizontally and vertically between effective andineffective positions; a guide in .saiddevice; -a secondary mechanism including resilient means interlocked with said part, said mechanismhaving a portion thereof extending into saidzguide and operable upon'insertion of a coirr therei-n through the coin acting as a weight to move said part downwardly into .efiective position, said coin being released from said partinresponse to the horizontal force of the uncapping operation on said part and whereby-said part will move backwardly under the force of said resilient means to inefiective position until another coin. is. inserted in said mechanism.

12. In a coin controlled device for uncapping bottles, amechanism horizontally and vertically movable including a claw-like arm for engaging the'lip of a bottle cap, a secondary mechanism including acounterweight interlockedwith said arm and movable therewith andactuated upon the insertion of a coin on the side of. said'mechanism oppositev said counterweight, said coin acting as a weight to move said armto effective position, said coin being released in response to lateral displacement of the coin contacting portion ofsaidsecondary mechanism "during the uncapping operation whereby said :arm will "be returned to inefiective positioniby said counterweight, and: separate: compartments insaid device for receiving the removed capsand=the released coins.

:13. Inha coin controlled device for uncapping bottles, -'a mechanism horizontally. and'vertically movable including a claw-like arm'for engaging the lip of a-bottle1cap, aisecondary mechanism having resilient means: and. including. a counterweight interlocked withxsai'd arm and movable therewith and'actuated upon the insertion ofa coin on'the side of saidmechanism opposite said counterweight, said 'coin acting :as a weight to move said arm toeifective position, said coin 'being released in response to lateral: displacement of the coin contacting portion of said secondary mechanism duringthe exertion of the horizontal force of the uncapping operation and whereby said arm will be returned to ineffectiveposition by said counterweight, and a locked compartment insaid devicefor releasing said coin and a detachable compartment carried by said "device for receiving the removed caps.

14. In a coin controlled device for uncapping bottles, a mechanism including a claw-like arm for engaging the lip of abottle-cap, aguidein said device, a secondary mechanism interlocked with said arm and having a portion of saidv sec ondary mechanism extending into said guide, said secondary mechanism being operable normally to hold said arm in ineffective position and to move said arm .toeifective' position when a coin is inserted in .said. guide and contacts as a weight the portion :of said secondary mechanism extending into said guide, and a 'wall.'be tween the efiective position of'said' arm and said mechanisms to-prevent fluids from'bottles being uncapped from gaining access to said coin controlled mechanism.

ISAAC O. GILBERT.

REFERENCES CITED -Thefollowing references are of record in the file of this patent:

' UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 443,001 Phillips Dec. 16, v1890 96,235 Nicholeset a1. Aug. 18, 1908 1,068,240 Hilton July 22, 1913 1,607,705 Tiranty et al Nov. 23, 1926 1,902,612 Blossom et a1 Mar. 21,1933 12,179,383 Fitzpatrick Nov. 14,1939 2,241,540 Casey W, May'13, 1941 2,371,310 Patzer Mar.-13, 1945 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date 11055? Germany May 11, 1900 248,323 Germany Sept. 2, 1911 

